Recommended Metro Top 50 Restaurants 2011

Metro Top 50 Restaurants 2011

Metro Top 50 Restaurants 2011 - As part of their annual awards, Metro magazine have released their Top 50 Auckland restaurants. Below are the full results of the Metro Audi Restaurant of the Year Awards 2011 Top 50 Auckland Restaurants.

Basque Kitchen & Bar is an award-winning Spanish wine & tapas bar in Newmarket opened by owner and chef James King, native Aucklander who had spent time in the kitchens of Melbourne and London. With the Metro Magazine dubbing it one of the best newcomers to the Auckland dining scene, Basque Kitchen & Bar is a worthy contender in the Auckland dining scene.

It is the perfect place to congregate, discuss business & socialize in stylish surroundings whilst enjoying fabulous wines & tasty food!

Bellota in Auckland, is a modernised rendition of the authentic Spanish Tapas bar, Bellota will feature a comprehensive range of premium Spanish and European wines by the glass (in 90ml or 180ml tasting options) to complement the variety of traditional flavours on the menu.

Serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine within a modern space, the restaurant promises to be at the forefront of the Auckland Asian food scene. On arrival enjoy excellent service from some of New Zealand's most respected front of house staff.

Most guests say this is the best Spanish Tapas restaurant they have been to and some who say this have travelled extensively in Spain. The venue is al fresco with stunning views over
the vineyard and the sea.

Casita Miro, Waiheke, also has a play area for children amongst the olive groves.

Ebisu offers something new, a sophisticated twist on the traditional Japanese izakaya style of informal drinking and dining. Ebisu delivers authentic eastern flavours while remaining true to the traditions of the past.

With exceptional service and high culinary standards, Faro Korean Restaurant is now firmly established as one of the Auckland's foremost restaurants for Korean cuisine. Serving a wide range of traditional korean dishes, the Faro chefs believe in the importance of the finest ingredients and attention to detail when preparing our meals.

The Grove on Wyndham Street in Central Auckland is an upmarket restaurant and wine bar. Stylish, yet comfortable, our food is focused on fresh, local and seasonal produce. We have a extensive global wine list.

With its exposed brick wall, Kura Japanese Sake Bar has a sophisticated atmosphere to match their modern Japanese cusine. There is an open fire in winter and tables suited for intimate dining and for large groups.

Kura Japanese Sake Bar is the only restaurant where you can sample Okinawan style food with traditional dishes such as Rafiti (slow cooked pork belly) and Champon (Okinawan stir fry with bitter cucumber).

With over 25 different sakes to chose from and a small well matched wine list to chose from, Kura’s relaxed ambiance adds to a wonderful dining experience.

Michael Meredith, alumni of The French Cafe graduated from the iconic Auckland institution, blessing Auckland locals with yet another adventurous fine dining option in the form of Merediths Restaurant nestled in Mt Eden Valley, Auckland.

Merediths offers a 5 course tasting menu for $90, with an optional wine match for $60 from Tuesday to Thursday evenings. The 7 course tasting menu is available for $120, with an optional wine match for $80.

A nine course degustation menu is the only menu available on Friday and Saturday evenings at a cost of $130, with an optional wine match to go with for $90.

Dietary restrictions can be catered for, and there are vegetarian options for all menus.

Mexican Specialities Ltd in Ellerslie, Auckland, is a truly special place. Initiated by Jose Carlos de la Macorra and Maria Batiz, both Mexico City natives, Mexican Specialities started out peddling their mouth-watering food at markets, but with food this good, it was only a matter of time before Jose and Maria established a place to call their own that offered the Mexican food they make so well.

Like a stroll through the fragrant night markets and food stalls of Bangkok, MooChowChow - a new Mark Wallbank venture - is a boost to the senses with its element of fun, surprise and deliciousness. Food that's a vibrant party-in-your-mouth, cocktails of fresh fruits and smashed herbs to tantalise and refresh, and icy cold pitchers of beer.

French Japanese Restaurant Morita offers a fusion on French and Japanese cuisine and is ideally located in central Auckland. You'll find Morita behind the Stamford Plaza, on the corner of Swanson Street and Mills Lane.

Non Solo Pizza is a cosmopolitan brasserie based in the heart of Parnell, just outside of the Auckland CBD. The NSP restaurant had been operating for over 12 years and specialises in Italian cuisine, with a comprehensive multi-course menu done up the Italian way.

Serving divine pizzas and truly authentic Italian specialities is the mission that the NSP team strives towards. Non Solo Pizza is one of our go-to pizzerias here in Auckland.

At Number 5 Restaurant in Central Auckland you will enjoy New Zealand specialities and the best range of New Zealand wine from our very own wine cellar. The warm interior and the open fireplace create a sophisticated and unforgettable atmosphere.

Located on the corner of Shortland & O'Connell Streets in Auckland Central, the O'Connell Street Bistro is a small intimate multi-award winning dining room of twelve tables, created in the theme of a modern European back street bistro, with a cosy and well stocked bar.

The O'Connell Street Bistro proprietor, Chris Upton, trained in the UK, and also spent four years on board QE2. His Head Chef, Stephen Ward is NZ trained, and has previously returned from London where he worked at Terence Conran's Bluebird restaurant. Stephen has been with the Bistro since November 2000.

Situated alongside it’s famous “One Tree Hill” namesake, One Tree Grill offers a refreshing change from the hustle and bustle of inner city dining. Since 1996, One Tree Grill has been a staple part of the Auckland restaurant scene, having evolved from our small 40 seat suburban beginnings to the modern, up market restaurant we are today.

With extensive upgrades to our dining facilities, we now have a range of dining options for individuals and functions of up to 102 people.

Ponsonby Road Bistro in Ponsonby, Auckland, serves simple, strong, honest food. But above that, the Ponsonby Road Bistro also keeps Auckland locals coming back for more because it exudes a charisma and charm that no other restaurant is able to stake claim to. This popular eatery is the epitome of bistro perfection; sleekness without the attitude and character without the excessive extravagance.

Prego Restaurant is an Italian restaurant that has been in business for over 20 years. Located in Ponsonby, Auckland, no bookings needed - all are welcome to enjoy our slick service and celebrated menu.

Italian al fresco dining in the intimacy of an enclosed courtyard, late suppers at the bar in front of a wood fire. Banquet table suitable for large groups. Bistro-style dining inside with the buzz of a busy restaurant. Prego Restaurant is well versed in meeting the needs of any type of dining occasion.

A popular neighbourhood place - it'll definitely pay for you to book first, considering its popularity. Run by Hiroshi Miyata who is owner and chef in charge, as well as the positively perosnable maitre d' Gen Ogata, a night out at Sake Bar 601 is sure to be a memorably wonderful one. Check out this Auckland based Japanese wonder at 601 New North Road, Morningside.

The Soul Bar & Bistro is in the heart of Auckland's Viaduct Harbour. Its elegant all-weather terrace faces west to catch the spectacular sunsets. It has been - and continues to be - enjoyed by Aucklanders and tourists alike.

Soul Bar & Bistro prides itself on it's use of the finest and freshest local ingredients - rather appropriate, considering its prime Auckland Viaduct Harbour location by the water.

SPQR, the famous Roman emblem, stands for "Senatus Populusque Romanus" - the Senate and People of Rome. Established in 1992 SPQR, a former mechanics garage, was one of the first "new age" establishments to open up in Ponsonby, the once red light district of Auckland. One of a kind, SPQR is cherished by its regular Ponsonby local clientèle and renowned for its exceptional food, service, and ambience.

Sunday Painters is a dream realised by Isobel Thom and James Kirkwood, responsible for the kitchen and wine respectively, about opening a restaurant of their own after having communal dinners at their Sunday painting group meet-ups.

This Ponsonby restaurant had only opened in August 2010 but had garnered such immense popularity within months, thanks to their gloriously rustic food and beautifully paired wines - not forgetting also their friendly service.

Thymes Tables Restaurant is a plat du jour restaurant, the menu changes daily. Offering just one entree, one main & one dessert each day with top quality seasonal ingredients.
The first Wednesday of each month Thymes Tables Restaurant offers cooking demonstration nights, where you join the chefs in the kitchen as they prepare each course. Beginning at 6.30pm, you will sit down to enjoy each course matched with wines.

Two Fifteen Bistro & Wine Bar, a 62 seat bistro & wine bar in addition to a private dining room that seats up to 28 people offers New Zealand and imported wines to go with their great food prepared by chef Jeremy Schmid.

“Vinnies, located in Auckland's Herne Bay, is a restaurant with history and a reputation for fine dining in relaxed and welcoming surrounds. It is renowned for consistent outstanding food, an award winning wine selection, superb professional service and Auckland's smallest art gallery.”

Winehot in Kingsland, Auckland, has reopened with a new look, new menu and new drinks list..Le Vrai Bar pour L 'Apéro...the place to meet, take a glass and eat (as little or as much as you like).

The atmosphere is still decidedly French sexy ... a trip to an authentique Bar à Paris without the longhaul flight.

We now specialise in traditionelle French charcuterie: patés, térrines and rillettes all made in house and served with fresh baked baguette.

The winelist still holds the same funky selection to challenge the pallette but we have also added a selection of boutique beers from around the world and a few delicious French cocktails (pour vous Mesdames).